THE boss of the department that failed to stop the tragic death of
Baby P was finally fired yesterday.

Sharon Shoesmith was axed from Haringey council's
children's services without a payoff in the wake of the abuse
scandal.

Baby P's natural father last night spoke of his joy at the
sacking, but insisted all those involved in the failures that led to the
17-month-old dying in his blood-soaked cot should be fired.

A family friend said: "He is delighted the right thing has
finally happened at Haringey. It is not the end of the matter, though.
He feels it is a case of one down and five to go.

"All the social workers whose failures contributed to Baby
P's death deserve to be sacked without a penny.

"He thinks this is the least his son deserves. Sharon
Shoesmith deserved to be sacked without a payoff."

Haringey council confirmed the sacking. A statement said:
"Sharon Shoesmith has been dismissed with immediate effect. She
will not receive any compensation or payment in lieu of notice."

Shoesmith, 55, sparked widespread fury after Baby P's death in
Tottenham, North London, with her lame response.

She said: "I am satisfied the action that should have been
taken was taken." Baby P died in August after months of abuse at
the hands of his 27-year-old mum, her boyfriend, 32, and lodger Jason
Owen, 36, despite 60 contacts with the authorities.

The trio are awaiting sentence for allowing his death.
Shoesmith's sacking comes as it was revealed Haringey council spent
pounds 19,000 on media training for high-profile staff in the case.

Local MP Lynne Featherstone branded the move
"outrageous".

She said: "Every single penny would have been better spent on
improving our children's service."

CAPTION(S):

TRAGEDY Baby P; AXED Children's services chief Shoesmith

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